They were back at seventh heaven for what had to be the tousandth time.

She was sharing a booth with Zack and Cloud this time. The others had left for the bar or wherever some time ago and the conversation had somehow trailed off into silence.

It suited Claire Farron just well.

She wasn´t in the mood for talking anyway.

It was after only a few minutes that Cloud Strife suddenly got up from his seat.

'I´ll leave you two alone, gotta go and find Tifa.' he explained motioning over in the direction of the bar.

'Haven´t seen much of her all evening. She´s probably pissed or something...' the blond boy grimaced.

This left Zack and her alone.

The evening couldn´t possibly have gotter any more disappointing.

Or so she thought.

'So what´s up anyway?' Zack began after just a few mements of silence.

The little button in his ear had finally healed and Claire Farron couldn't help but notice that it suited him quite well. Made him look a little bit more interesting. A little more reckless maybe.

'What do you mean?' his pink haired comrade asked somewhat evasively, sounding slightly irritated as she shot him one of her incredulous scowls.

'Between you and Sephiroth...' her fellow first class probed somewhat cautiously.

Zack Fair knew he was treading on thin ice there. Knew the topic was one of Lightning's big taboos.

Still. He couldn't help but wonder...

Somewhat taken aback at him bringing up her former sensei, the female first class quickly avoided his gaze, unable to look him in the eye as she felt her cheeks blush crimson.

Please not that.

Why did she always have to blush like that?!

She never used to blush before... Before what?!

Pulling herself together, Lightning slowly brought herself to meet her friend's inquiring sky blue eyes.

Trying desperately to hide the effect even bringing up the topic had on her, she dearly hoped her reaction had not given her away.

'I don´t know what you mean... It´s nothing...' she began somewhat tentatively, but Zack Fair interrupted her immediately and she instantly knew that she was screwed.

'Oh, don´t you dare... Do you think I´m stupid or something?' her friend snapped, sounding slightly offended himself.

Why, oh why did her body have to betray her like that?!

'I mean you two aren't even talking to each other anymore...' he added somewhat accusingly.

Claire Farron just chose not to answer. Didn´t even know what to say.

It was true of course. She might have kept the silver haired first class at a distance before, they had never been the best of friends, hadn't gone out of their way to spend time together really, but now she was evading him at all costs.

The memory from that night at men's hall, the picture of her former haired sensei flirting with that fangirl, the way it had made her feel, it all still stood out vividly in her mind.

She wasn't sure what had happened there exactly, still didn't understand what had been going on. Her sensei vanishing with that woman to then wait there in the crowd for her a few minutes later... It was all very confusing. None of it made sense.

Still. Lightning did not want no explanations. Didn't want to know.

The way her former sensei's actions had affected her, it had surprised her. Had terrified her, horrified her really.

She had been overreacting. Terribly so. Had felt hurt there for no reason at all. Had felt overwhelmed with emotion. Had felt wronged. Had felt jealous and wronged and bitter.

It was all she had to know.

This weird relationsship she had or didn't have with him, this weird obsession, it wasn't good for her, was harming her.

And she knew she couldn't allow herself or him or anyone to fuel any of her feelings.

She would only get herself hurt.

And she didn't want that.

All in all, after everything that had happened at Men´s hall, she felt she´d rather keep her distance.

It was probably the best for everyone.

She didn´t know where all those unexpected feelings toward him had come from, but she knew she could never allow herself to give in to even an ounce them.

She wouldn´t let him hurt her. Not anymore.

No matter if physically or emotionally.

Never again.

She wasn´t one to dwell on false hopes.

Besides, considering their positions, feelings such as the one's she had were simply inappropriate. Unprofessional. They had always been. And that would never change.

'It´s kind of odd, you know... One second you two are inseparable...Then you get back from that mission and you kind of ignore each other...' Zack observed.

'Don´t be stupid Zack, we were never anything close to inseparable. Actually, we hardly ever got along since the moment we met...' Claire Farron replied.

Now that the words had left her lips, she realized the truth in them.

Sure, there had been times when they had gotten along. A little. But most times they hadn´t.

The silver haired first class had opted on ignoring her numerous times in the past, usually whenever she had done something that had offended him, which was easier than one would think. Sometimes she had had the feeling the simple fact of her existence annoyed the silver haired first class to no end.

And there'd been much more of course. All those beatings. All those taunts. That one time he'd almost killed her forcing her to run laps on that training pit...

Sometimes Lightning wondered how she could think of him as even remotely likeable in the first place.

No.

It definitely wasn't healthy.

Well... Pondering those questions had to wait until later. Finding an answer that would satisfy Zack and not give away her secret feelings for the First Class General she couldn´t deny she had anymore, that had top priority now.

'So what happened... Did you two fight or something?' Zack tried again carefully, his voice back to kind and understanding once again.

No. We almost kissed on New Year's Eve and now he's hanging around with his fangirls again.

Clair Farron was spared the trouble of making up a suitable reply, as suddenly a familiar female voice carried over from the crowd.

'Zack! There you are!'

For the first time in her life Lightning was actually happy to see Aerith Gainsborough's face as she made her way over to their table to throw herself in Zack´s arms and engage him in one of her passionate kisses, mercifully interrupting the pup's uncomfortable interrogation.

Seemed as if she was saved from answering that one, Lightning thought, as thanking Etro she quickly got up and made towards the bar, escaping Zack's prying questions once and for all.

Her dark haired comrade was too distracted to even notice.

The location crammed with people now, the pink haired first class slowly fought herself a path through the crowd, looking for a sign of the others.

Spotting none of them, she couldn´t help but notice that at least there weren´t any fan girls present.

That was at least something.

But where the hell were Genesis and Angeal?!

Feeling slightly lost, she forced herself not to go looking for the First Class General, tried to divert her thoughts from revolving around him again.

No. She needed to forget about this. Forget about him. Once and for all.

Pushing further through the throng of people in search for the other firsts, Lightning suddenly found herself face to face with a familiar looking turk.

Reno Sinclair.

Unruly red hair und untidy stained dressshirt, he stood before her with his eyes gone huge.

He didn´t seem any less surprised than Lightning felt herself.

'I... I... I was just...' the redhead stammered, raising his hands in what was to be understood a pacifying gesture.

'I was just about to leave!' he managed before blushing furiously, he brushed past her and vanished through th esaloon style doors.

It took a few moments before Lightning realized what had happened.

Then she started shaking with mirth. All over her body.

At least there was someone who could blush even worse than she did!

Biting back her laughter she made her way over to line up for the bar.

Yes. She definitely needed a drink now. And a good one too. That much was for sure.


Angeal Hewley was on his way back from the toilet when, fighting his way through the crowd, he caught a glimpse of his pal Genesis Rhapsodus, presumably tipsy again, about to approach Lightning who stood queued up in front of the bar.

He was busy fixing his red hair, wearing that mischievous expression, kind perceptive Angeal Hewley knew so well.

Oh no, you won't!

Crossing the room in only a few quick strides, the burly first class reached him, grabbed him at his shoulder in what was supposed to be a kind of brotherly way. Maybe a tiny bit too hard.

Well, in his current state Genesis Rhapsodos probably hadn't even noticed.

'Hey, what do you think you are doing, huh?' Angeal confronted his childhood friend, as gently but decisively he steered him away from Lightning, so they faced the door instead.

'Huh? What are you talking about?' the redhead turned to stare at him, a quizzical look quickly replacing that naughty boyish grin of his.

'I just thought I'd buy our comrade Light a drink, that´s all...' he began, working hard at morphing his features into what he doubtlessly thought was a very innocent expression.

Angeal Hewley was not one to be fooled though.

Facing his comrade head on, the burly first class stood his ground, sporting his trademark stern expression he usually reserved for lectures about duty and honor.

'You know... Start some conversation... Maybe keep her some company...' Genesis explained to then trail off, that mischievous twinkle making it's way back into his eyes now.

Angeal found he didn´t like the direction his friend's thoughts were taking. Not at all.

'I mean... She sure is pretty, did you realize? In her own way... Kind of... If you look at her the right way...' the redhead muttered dreamily as he turned back into the direction of their friend in question.

Angeal Hewley hit him over the head with the flat of his right hand.

'Ouch! What was that for?!' Gensis yelled offendedly, rubbing his head where his comrade had hit him vigurously.

The burly first class only kept staring at him accusingly.

'Oh come on! That girl´s gotta loosen up a bit...' the cheeky redhead explained winking at his colleague suggestively.

'Don't tell me you haven't considered it yourself. '

At this Angeal Hewley only raised his eyebrows.

No. He had not considered it. But people like Genesis Rhapsodos always assumed that just because they were rotten to the core, other people were as well. That had to be some unwritten law of human nature.

'She's a big girl. She can decide for herself. And if you're concerned for my manhood, thanks. But rest assured, I am equipped accordingly.' the redhead went on.

Brushing aside his crimson coat and unbuckling his pants right there, he quickly stepped closer to Angeal to reveal what looked like a pink leopard patterned jockstrap.

'Nice huh? Jay from men's hall lent it to me.'

Angeal Hewley looking up at his comrade in bewilderment now, for a few moments he found himself startled. Unable to speak.

'Either way. It's only a drink. Relax.' Genesis reasoned.

'I... I just don´t think that´s the best idea right now, Bro!' Angeal warned.

Risking a look over at Sephiroth, he found the silver haired first class leaning against the wall next to the flipper a few meters away from them, staring holes into his former protégé´s back.

His arms were crossed in front of his chest and an untypical brooding expression was spread on his usually guarded features.

Yes. He was obviously not to be messed with tonight.

'What... You really think she´s going to cut my balls off?! Jockstrap and all?' Genesis joked, not having cought on in the slightest and giving his friend an incredulous stare.

'No. But I think he might...' Angeal informed, indicating the first class general with a sideways gesture of his head.

'Huh? What are you even talking about?' his comrade asked, his brow furrowed in confusion before following his friend's hint, slowly, realisation began to dawn on him.

'NO... NO WAY...' he managed, finally catching on.

Angeal Hewley nodded in confirmation.

'...But?! No... No way!' Genesis sputtered again and again, the message slowly sinking in, his mouth opening and closing stupidly as apparently he was lost for words.

The great Genesis Rhapsodos rendered speechless...

Angeal Hewley considered that an achievement.

It definitely wasn't something that happened everyday.

No.

Taking his comrade by the shoulder once again he quickly made to steer him over to the other side of the room.

'How about a game of darts, huh? We haven't had a match in what, months? Come on, we'll give it a try.'

The redhead checking on Sephiroth and Lightning over his shoulder again and again, it was only reluctantly that he let Angeal pull him over to the dartboard.

Angeal Hewley didn't dare relax his grip on his childhood friend.

He wouldn't let Genesis interfere this time. No way.

Those two over there were made for each other.

That was plainly obvious for everyone who cared to see.

Looking over at his general, the burly first class sighed in frustration.

If only they could admit that fact to themselves.


General Sephiroth Cresecent watched it all from his safe spot a few meters away.

Leaning against the wall of that rathole they called seventh heaven, his eyes were fixed on his apprentice, his former apprentice as he had to remind himself. He had watched her all evening, contemplaiting on how to approach her, on what exactly he should say.

She had ignored him that evening at Men's Hall when she'd exited the ring and she hadn't as much as wasted him a glance ever since.

Yes. She had ignored him there. Had strode right past him. Had ignored him ever after.

And Sephiroth wasn't used to being ignored. No, not at all.

What exactly had he done? Somehow the silver haired man wasn't sure. She had every reason to hate him of course, she'd always had, still, their last few encounters, they hadn't made it seem as if she felt that way. No. Not at all.

They'd gotten along fine when they'd met at the theater and before that in the hall, had gotten along fine on that ruddy mission on the mountaintop.

The mountaintop.

Sephiroth still didn't know what to think of it exactly. Of everything that had happened there.

All he knew was that they'd gotten along well. Exceptionally well actually. They'd spent time together with the others, they'd talked some on their own again. And somehow he'd gotten the impression that somehow, maybe, miraculously, they'd been getting closer.

Then why was she ignoring him like this again? Somehow he could not explain.

Maybe he was taking it up all the wrong way? Maybe this wasn't about him at all, wasn't about anything he'd done?

Maybe he should just ask her... Yes. He probably should. They were two grown ups after all.

He had seen her talk to Reno from the turks, if only for a moment and then she'd lined up infront of the bar like everybody else, to get herself something to drink. She was alone now. Waiting in the queue. He could just step up and approach her.

He had never gotten the opportunity to invite her to that drink. To ask her about that mission, had never appologized for his behaviour in the past, had never gotten to say any of the things he'd wanted to.

Maybe he could do it now.

She wanted to get herself something to drink? Maybe he could beat her to it. Could somehow bypass the line queued up infront of the bar.

Yes. His war hero status had to be good for something after all.


'Hey.'

Claire Farron was ripped out of her musings when suddenly he stood before her, the man she'd tried to get out of her head so fervently, the man she had been trying to evade all evening.

General conceited prat himself, two drinks clutched in his hands, he almost spilled them when she abruptly turned to face him.

'Hey.'

She was surprised herself how cold her voice came out, how flat, detached.

Somehow she wouldn't have thought it possible. Not while facing him.

She couldn't help but feel positively amazed at herself. Proud even.

'Are... Are you okay?' the man infront her asked somewhat hesitantly, mako green eyes boring into her's like knives and it was then that for the first time Claire Farron managed to look past his charms.

Past the handsome face and the legendary war hero status.

'Yes. I am great. Thank you.' she replied without enthusiasm as her eyes roamed the pub for a rute of escape.

It was really none of his business.

He had no right to ask her after what he'd made her feel back at that ruddy boxing match.

She really didn't want to talk to him. Didn't want to look at him.

It was quickly that she turned away to leave.

She'd been there too long anyway. Time to return to HQ.

Suddenly he was in front of her again, bloking her way.

The audacity of it, it almost made her push him away.

'Hey, how about that drink. We never actually … At men's hall...' the man infront her stammered pushing one of the glasses towards her, mako eyes searching her face in confusion.

The man infront her looking a little lost, discouraged, as though he had no idea what to say, how to act, Lightning found she didn't care.

Really?

Was he really doing this?

Was he going to appologize with a lousy drink?

Was he really thinking she'd forget that easily?

Well, if he really thought so, he thought wrong.

Cold blue eyes finding his huge mako green ones she looked up at him incredulously.

He couldn't really believe she'd be that stupid, could he?

'No. Thanks. I rather get back to HQ.' the pink haired female said dismissively as quickly she made to sidestep the man infront of her.

Oh no. She wasn't one of those girls he could just go to whenever he pleased.

Like those fangirls...

She so wasn't.

If he thought he could hit her up like that after weeks of evading her of not talking to her of playing with her then he was sorely mistaken.

She wasn't one of his playthings and she would never be.

Good looking he might be and a war hero legend on top, but that character of his, it was starting to go on her nerves.

'Wait. I'm coming with you. We could walk back together.' his voice came from somewhere close behind her.

'I can walk on my own.' Claire Farron retorted a lot more fiercly than the situation would have required.

'I know that.' the silver haired man stated somewhat wearily as falling into pace beside her, he followed her towards the door.

Claire Farron stoped him with a glare.

She was going back on her own. Not with him. That much was for sure.

And it was pushing past the western style doors that she abandoned the silver haired man in the crowd, a pair of drinks still clutched in his trembling hands.


It was another of those quiet evenings Lightning spent her after work hours chilling in the leather sofas of the recreation area, a cup of coffee steaming in her hands, while she listened to Zack and Genesis, discussing recent events.

The silver haired first class was keeping his distace again. Had done so ever since that night at seventh heaven and Lightning couldn't help but feel relieved, feel thankful.

That evening at Men's Hall finally seemed to have broken the spell, seemed to finally have cured her from the ridiculous obsession she had had with her former sensei. Had finally made her see sense, made her see him as the conceited prat he really was.

She had repaied him back at seventh heaven, had given him what he deserved. And somehow she couldn't help but feel pleased with herself, proud almost.

Giving short dismissive answers whenever spoken to directly, the man in the black coat spent most of the time gazing out of the huge high windows making the room's back wall again, intent on avoiding Lightning's eyes, or all their eyes it seemed.

Claire Farron didn't really care.

He could do whatever he wanted in her opinion now, could think whatever he saw fit. General Sephiroth Crescent had been a solitary person ever since she'd known him. And a rude one on top of it if one dared to push him.

There was nothing unusual about him not taking part in social gatherings or of appearing mostly absent, but still the pink haired female couldn't help but wonder whether it had something to do with her and their last encounter.

No. It most probably didn't. Lightning was aware she couldn't always project his behaviour onto something she had said or done.

The things she did probably had only very little effect on the General's behaviour, if at all, she was aware. She wasn't nearly as important. Noone really was important, at least not to him. That she knew now, knew for sure.

There was no point pondering any of this really, no point pondering anything that considered him.

She was free now, free to let her mind be occupied by other things.

Somehow it felt liberating.

The topic had just turned to motorbikes, and which of Shin-Ra's models was the best, when suddenly Angeal joined in.

'Hey what´s up guys?' the burly first asked cheerfully as he strode up to them from the direction of the elevators.

'What are you up to this evening?'

Genesis who apparently had been waiting for Angeal to ask this question all afternoon, abruptly got up from his seat and pointing his index finger at his comrade, announced that actually he had been hoping that he would join him in the training room once the seconds were out, as he wanted a `rematch´ against Sephiroth where he would finally 'show him his place'.

It seemed to finally bring the silver haired legend out of his quiet musings and back to reality.

All the others turning to stare at the man in question, General Sephiroth Crescent could only raise a brow.

'Is that so? I´d like to see you try...' he challenged, his expression suddenly smug.

Angeal´s good mood vanished instantly, to be replaced by a wary look on his kind face.

'Not that again...' he pleaded.

'Haven´t you two had enough already?'

It appereared they didn't.

To grant Genesis his death-wish, once the second´s training had ended they made their way up to the simulation training room.

Zack and Lightning sneaked into the observation room while the others positioned themselves in the training area and both of them watched curiously through the bullet proof glass, not knowing what they were to expect exactly as they had never seen any of those three compete against each other before.

Genesis loaded the program of his choice and the two freshly baken first classes watched in excitement as the scene in front of them turned to Junon, to the top of the Sister Ray, Shin-Ra´s huge Mako Cannon, a breathtaking sunset painted in the background.

Genesis was quoting from Loveless again, while Sephiroth was standing a few meters away, admiring the scenery. The soft breeze playing with his hair, despite everything that had happened between them, Lightning couldn´t help but marvel at the way the light of the dying sun reflected in those long smooth strands of silver.

The general did make a stunning sight. That much was for sure.

But so did the others, their faces tinged in gentle golds.

'Infinite in mystery is the gift of the goddess, we seek it thus and take to the sky...' Genesis Rhapsodos´ voice penetrated the silence while Angeal Hewley next to him seemed somehow lost in thought.

General Sephiroth Crescent turned to face the red-clad First Class, obviously annoyed at having to hear that damned poem of his for about the thousandth time.

Slowly he took a few steps into his friends' direction.

'Ripples form on the water´s surface, the wandering soul knows no rest...' the redhead continued, his voice turning dramatic once again.

'Loveless... Act I.' Sephiroth observed, his friend Angeal looking up at him in wonder.

'Painful, isn´t it?' Genesis remarked, mercifully putting away that book of his, then getting up to face the silver haired First Class himself.

'Having to hear you recite it every fucking day, that´s what´s painful about it.' Sephiroth retorted dryly, mirroring his comrades´ actions as they both took out their weapons, getting into fighting stance.

'Don´t take Sephiroth lightly...' Angeal advised, probably concerned for his childhood friend´s well-being.

But upon seeing Genesis´s reckless expression, Lightning could tell the latter wasn´t even listening.

'Whatever.' the redhead shrugged it off confidently, as determind he charged at her former mentor, Angeal Hewley hot at his heels.

They attacked simultaneously.

But even with their powers combined, they were no match for Sephiroth.

Claire Farron couldn´t hide a grin as she watched her former sensei block them easily, pushing them off and away with his Masamune, using only one of his leather gloved hands.

He didn´t even bother to fight back for now.

He was going easy on them, Lightning knew.

Though the others were giving at least 150 per cent, she could tell the man who´d been her mentor hadn´t even started.

He was probably just warming up.

She knew those tactics of his just too well.

He´d patiently wait for the others to get themselves exhausted to then suddenly attack relentlessly, usually with a speed and force that were unable to match by anybody, barely giving his opponents the time to protect themselves in order to not get sliced to pieces.

She had experienced that first hand on plenty of occassions.

'Maybe we should join and help them?!' Zack suggested, not taking his eyes away from the show in front of him for even a second.

'I mean, he´s so fucking fast...'

'No... We´d rather stay here.' his pink haired comrade adviced.

'Better not make him angry...'

The truth was Claire Farron felt no desire to find herself at the receiving end of Masamune´s blade ever again.

Not if she could help it.

It was a few minutes later, after Sephiroth had blocked an especially strong attack from both of them, that Angeal and Genesis stopped, panting heavily, ready to take a break.

'Is that the best you can do?' the silver haired general teased, obviously amused by their childlike attempts and not affected by the minutes of continuous onslaught in the slightest.

'All hail Sephiroth, huh?' Angeal said, sounding somewhat resigned.

But Genesis wasn´t eager to give in that easily this time.

'Angeal...stay back.' He ordered.

'I´ll take Sephiroth alone...'

'Genesis!?' Angeal warned, probably questioning his friend´s sanity as the cheeky redhead raised his Rapier, activating the fire Materia attached to it and channeling it´s magic into the red blade, endowing it with a fiery aura and emblazoning runic symbols all along it's length.

'The world needs a new hero!' he shouted challengingly as he brandished his sword at Sephiroth.

The latter only snorted in amusement.

'Come and try.' was all the lean man said, a devilish smirk now forming on his usually marble features.

It was no secret that the two had a deep-rooted rivalry going on between them for years.

Genesis envying Sephiroth´s powers as well as his legendary war hero status, the red clad first class felt fed up with coming second all the time.

'So smug... But for how long!?' the redhead taunted, as he charged forward in another attack.

The silver haired First Class General was already waiting for him, Masamune ready in his left hand.

And then they began in earnest.

Zack was watching spellbound from the edge of his seat as the two battled relentlessly, Genesis Rhapsodos fed up with Sephiroth besting him for so long, he would have given everything to overwhelm his mate just once.

Knowing the general´s fighting style quiet well by now, Lightning could see her former sensei was still holding back.

A lot.

Countering in what she knew was only a half hearted way.

Keeping a calm head like that despite his comrade´s provocations, Claire Farron couldn´t help but admire the silver haired man´s self control.

She knew it wasn´t in his nature to have much patience with anybody. And definitely not any pitty. But his companionship with Genesis did seem to mean something to him or he wouldn't have held back.

The silver haired first class could have ended that ridiculous struggle for power the second his comrades had attacked for the very first time and Lightning knew he was simply granting them some show so they would believe they actually had a chance. Maybe as an act of friendship. Or maybe just because he enjoyed fighting them so much.

It seemed that she had underestimated Genesis´ powers though.

The one-on-one duel escalating far sooner that she would have thought, it was suddenly and without warning that the redhead used his fire materia to attack, a desperate attempt to finally gain an advantage over his usually victorious friend.

A glowing ball of fire erupting from the palm of his hand it quickly grew to something of enormous size.

It's blaze permanently blinding Zack and Lightning in their safe seats of the observation room, the both of them held their breaths as shielding their eyes with their arms against the heat, they tried to see what was going on inside.

'Genesis, No!' they heard Angeal Hewley shout in warning.

But their crimson haired comrade was too caught up inside his rage.

It was a moment later that he released the giant ball of fire and sent it hurtling straight at his comrade with incredible speed.

Lightning expected her former sensei to jump out of the way.

But for some reason the silver haired general didn't move an inch.

'No!' Zack and her yelled together as they both got off their seats, hitting their heads on the bullet proof glass pane.

Had they just witnessed one of those fatal training incidents their third class basics instructurs had been lecturing about?!

No. Of course they hadn't.

Every normal person would have burned to cinders, but General Sephiroth Crescent couldn't be defeated just that easily.

Emerging from Genesis´ onslaught unscathed, with his coat not even singed, Lightning could tell the silver haired first class was now definitely angry.

One simply didn't hurl a maxed out fire materia spell at a friend.

And using magic like this wasn´t exactly what was considered fair play in a sword fight either.

Lightning didn´t know what Genesis was playing at.

Provoking Sephiroth like that was definitely suicidal.

The latter finally seeming to loose his patience, Claire Farron and Zack Fair watched in trepidation as the first class general began his offense.

Yes. It was Sephiroth´s turn to attack Genesis now.

And the once cheeky redhead barely managed to stand his ground.

The general´s blows came fast.

Incredibly so. Not leaving his opponent the opportunity to do anything else but bring up his sword to defend himself in despair.

The two soldiers on the safe side of the bullet proof glass watched with bated breaths as the decorated war hero flatten the crimson-clad First Class, destroying most of the scenery in the process.

But Genesis, albeit surprised at his opponent´s momentum, still didn´t want to give up and Claire Farron felt her former sensei´s self-restraint crumble alltogether.

The situation was starting to get out of hand.

Was becoming dangerous.

Angeal Hewley seemed to be thinking along the same line as sensing the fight escalate, he had no choice but to intervene.

Saving Genesis from Sephiroth´s next blow he quickly hurled himself in between the two of them, using the Buster Sword on his back to block Masamune.

'Enough!' he barked, his voice suddenly authoritative.

'Out of my way!' Genesis yelled at him in rage, attacking Angeal now, who quickly brought up his standard SOLDIER sword to defend himself.

Genesis´s Rapier cut through it like butter, sending the upper part of it to be hurled straight into his own crimson clad shoulder.

'ARGH!'

The fight ended abruptly with Genesis sinking to his knees and clutching his shoulder in pain.

Nobody dared to move a muscle as quickly Zack aborted the simulation and the surroundings turned back to the familiar grey tiled walls.

'Genesis?!' Lightning got up from her seat first and as fast as they could the two of them stormed into the training area to check whether their comrade was doing okay.

'Just a scrape.' the redhead assured her when his female comrade reached forward to take a look at his injury, revealing a deep cut beneath the leather of his uniform.

'That´s definitely more than a scrape...' Lightning mused, giving the first class in front of her a stern look that could have rivaled Angeal's.

'There you go...'

Taking out her healing materia, the pink haired female leaned forward to use it on the gaping wound.

Withing seconds there was only smooth pale skin, a few trickles of blood the only indication that there´d ever been an injury.

Sephiroth and Angeal only watched, opting to keep their distance and in Sephiroth's case cool his flaring temper.

'Thank you, Light.' Genesis said, his voice barely a whisper, his eyes trained to the floor in embarrassment.

There was a small defeated sigh and then he got up and turned to strut out of the room.

He didn't leave without dropping one last line of his beloved poem though.

'Even if the morrow is barren of promises. Nothing shall forestall my return.' making it terribly sound like the prospect of a rematch was dawning somewhere on the horizon already.

'Not the first time one of us got hurt while sparing.' Angeal said to calm his pup, who was sporting a rather scared expression, obviously horrified at the dramatic turn the events had taken.

'Sparring?!' Zack Fair yelled, apparently outraged.

'You call THAT sparrring?!'

If that was what first class sparring was like, Zack Fair definintely had no desire to partake anytime soon.

'Well...' the first classed only shrugged their shoulders.


General Sephiroth Crescent sticked to his corner of the simulation training room, watched his former apprentice heal Genesis' wound with her maxed out healing materia. The healing materia he had given to her for her first class promotion.

There. It had happened again. He had snapped. Had lost it. He had lost control. He had injured his comrade. His friend. Would have killed him probably, had Angeal not intervened. And what was worst of all, it had all happened in front of her.

The pink haired soldier getting back up on her feet, finished watching the redhead's dramatic exit, it was briefly that she turned around to look at him, briefly that she met her fomer mentor's eyes.

It was only a tiny moment really that their gazes met before she took after their comrade and left throught the automatic doors, but the accusing glare she gave him stung.

Oh what must she be thinking of him...

Him. The monster that had called itself her trainer. That had abused it's authority. Had beaten her up. Had humiliated and taunted her on a regular basis. The brutal savage who couldn't keep himself in check enough not to kill his comrade in a sparr...

No wonder she didn't want to talk to him, didn't want him to walk her back to HQ.

Suddenly Sephiroth felt sick. Ready to throw up.

It was true. That was what he'd been designed to be. A monster without feelings. A monster without second thoughts, without remorse. The one who killed first and asked questions later, if at all. But that was not who he wanted to be anymore. Was not who he really was, or was it?

He was so much more than that. Wasn't he? Wasn't he?!

You just almost killed Genesis. A little voice inside his head was quick to remind him. You would have done so if it weren't for Angeal...

Sephiroth knew that it was true.

There was no point denying that. He'd let his temper carry him away again. Had let his anger take control.

His gaze travelling down to Masamune he'd forgotten he was still holding, he felt himself swallowing hard against the lump that had begun to form inside his throat.

That look she'd given him...

Suddenly he felt ashamed of himself. Despised himself.

Zack Fair taking after his female friend as quickly as he could, the silver haired first class found himself alone with Angeal Hewley.

'Are you okay?' the latter asked with concern on his face and it was only then that Sephiroth realised how much his hands were shaking, how hard he was panting. It was not from the exertion. Not at all. But something else entirely.

'I'm fine.' was all he said.

And some way it was true. He was not injured, wasn't harmed. But in some other way it wasn't. Somehow he was not okay at all. Not even remotely.

'Get a grip on yourself.' was all the burly first class said as quickly patting his friend's shoulder in a kind comradely way he stepped past him and made towards the door leaving the silver haired first class to the pressing vastness of the simulation training room.

The room was a mess.

The ceilings were scorched from Genesis' fire attacks and the lamps were hanging loosely from their sockets, flickering on and off sporadically. Deep grove marks decorated the ground and walls where he'd driven Masamune through concrete and there were cables hanging from the walls, the crackling of escaping electricity the only sound to fill the silence.

Director Lazard would not be pleased. That much was for sure.

There'd be some explaining to do.

Still. All Sephiroth could think of was Claire Farron and that accusing look she'd given him, right before she'd left.

It was weird somehow, how over time their relationship had changed. How from just being this weak pathetic girl he'd accepted as his apprentice, a nuisance really, she had graduated to the strong confident woman that was now his fellow first class.

How he'd come to respect her. How important she had become to him. Because yes. She was important to him. There was no point denying that either. There hadn't been in a very long time.

She had grown on him. He'd gotten himself used to her presence had come to enjoy it even, found himself longing for it actually, now that they didn't spend time anymore as they had in all those countless training sessions.

Sure he had been her teacher. Her superior. Those lessons had served only the purpose of instruction and she'd been forced to spent them with him, but still.

He couldn't help but find that he missed them.

All those hours spent together in the Shin-Ra training rooms. Missed them badly so. Missed her company, her fierce defiant glares, her attempts at taking his life even.

Those lessons that had seemed a nuisance to him most of the time, a waste of time and effort really, suddenly he realized that she wasn't the only one who'd learned something from them.

Yes. He hadn't been a teacher in there all the time. Sometimes Lightning had taught him too. Had done so without her ever realizing.

She had taught him never to underestimate his opponent no matter how weak you thought they were. Had taught him that he wasn't invincible, that he too could bleed. That he couldn't loose his focus, couldn't loose control.

She had taught him to value other people's feelings. Had shown him how he had abused his powers, how he'd mistreated people all around him, just because he'd thought himself superior, better really. And how that hadn't been fair, hadn't been right.

But she'd taught him so much more than that.

She had made him a better person.

She had taught him that he could be protective. That he too had feelings, that he too did care. That he too had a conscience. And that there were choices. There was always a choice. That he'd just picked the wrong ones most of his life. But also that he needn't continue if he didn't want to, that he could become a different man if only he really wanted to.

And he did want to.

He really did.

But where to start, where to begin?

General Sephiroth Crescent somehow wasn't sure.

Fighting and killing was all he'd ever done in his entire life, was what he was good at, was the only thing he'd known.

He knew there had to be more to life than that, had somehow always known, but it was only now that he had really thought about it, really wanted to make a change.

But how? How could he make up for all the terrible things he'd done in the past, how could he make up for all the things he'd done to her?

How was he suppose to do that? Where was he to even begin?

If only she could teach him that, he thought, as slowly he made Masamune vanish with the aid of his storing materia.

Lightning.

Somehow his thoughts seemed to revolve around her, seemed to come back to her no matter what he did.

If only he could get her out of his head just for a few minutes. If only he could forget about her. But the thing was that he couldn't.

Every second that he closed his eyes he saw her face infront of him, saw the look in her eyes she'd given him that last time he'd tried to talk to her at seventh heaven. Saw the accusation, saw the defiance, saw the spite.

Somehow he knew he was loosing her, had lost her the second he'd first seen her, at their very first training session at the very least, knew she would never forgive him for how much of a bastard he had been.

He knew that it was futile. That he'd better stay away from her. That he'd do good to try and forget about her.

But still. Still. Something inside him couldn't let her go. Couldn't live with the thought that she wouldn't be there anymore, that he couldn't spend time with her, that he wouldn't hear her voice or look into those stormy eyes.

And he still shuddered at the memory of their last wutai mission, of the almost fatal injury his back then still apprentice had received. If Angeal had not reached her in time...

The thought of it still terryfied the shits out of him.

He'd practically seen her die. And he'd seen her die in a way in that barrel at the Shin-Ra ceremony too.

He had been scared then. So terribly scared. It wasn't something he was used to, wasn't something he had ever experienced like that before.

Sure he had experienced things in his past that still made him wake up from his nightmares shivering and drenched in sweat but, still. All those torments that he had endured, all the haunting memories, they were nothing compared to that debilitating fear he'd felt when he'd thought he'd see her die.

It was the reason why he was feeling so protective of her lately, had been the reason why he had given her that maxed out healing materia.

It was true it had taken him days to max it out, weeks really, had required hours and hours grinding away in the outskirts of Midgar, hours and hours hacking away at meager wererats and lesser drakes.

But it had been all worth it, he supposed.

Claire Farron was a first class now. And he wasn't her sensei anymore.

She could stand on her own feet now and he couldn't protect her all the time, could not look after her anymore.

She wouldn't even want him to.

It was a fact he had to accept.

He had tought her everything he could, had equipped her with everything he could give her. All left for him to do now was hope that she would do fine.

He needed to let her go.

He was aware.

He had to let her make her own experiences, her own mistakes, had to let her learn her own lessons from her own decisions.

And he'd been trying to do just that over the previous few weeks, had tried to get himself over the fact that she was now a fully trained first class, that she wouldn't need him anymore, that she could do stuff by herself now, but somehow he'd failed terribly.

Keeping his distance was the only idea that had come to him, the only way he knew to deal with this, but somehow it wasn't working half as well as he would have hoped and somehow he couldn't help but find his thoughts drifting back to her, his eyes to fixing on her whenever she was near. His mind constantly occupied with what she might be thinking, with how she might feel. And not lastly, how she might feel about him.